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Thursday, June 29, 2017

Art Gallery: The Cookie Incident

I wrote the following description for this painting's page on my old arts website, DanielThomas.org in 2003. Enjoy:

So,
now, what is "the cookie incident?" Here's the sordid
story. In early 2001, a restaurant called the Loring Pasta Bar was
opening in Dinkytown (where I live). The Pasta Bar was an offshoot
of the Loring Cafe, one of the more well-known upscale-hipster places
in Minneapolis, and the owner was expanding. Anyway, I arrived for
the "open auditions" for waitstaff. When I came inside,
the owner greeted each person in line with a cookie from a large
bowl of homemade cookies. After having my picture taken, I filled
out the application, and then took my turn taking a "mock"
order; listen to an order, then carry a tray around the restaurant
and return, reciting the order back. I didn't do too well; I think
I remembered one or two of the items, but for the most part, this
was food I had never heard of.Oh,
well. I stood in yet another line, this time to wait for interviews.
While I was waiting, I saw the large cookie bowl. Most everybody
who wished to apply had already arrived, and the bowl was still
half full, so I walked up and grabbed another cookie. Apparently,
this wasn't only my idea; as the restaurant owner grabbed the bowl
and offered everyone another round. Good news for me!That's
when he noticed the other cookie in my hand.

So
what does this owner do? Nothing much. He only starts bawling out
loud, "Hey! You've got a cookie!" This grown adult
then starts running around, finding any employee who will listen.
"This guy has another cookie! He took a cookie!" This
went on for at least a minute.

Turns
out he was the owner of the place. I didn't get the job. Go figure.